The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-03-18
THE TREASURY SURPLUS.

here Is something hlch must
imp ess every thoughtful man rs be-
ing significant Of some. hing radi-
caliy wrong somewhere in the ma
ny schemes devised and plans sug-
gested to get rid ofthe useless money
which Will accumulate in the Trea=
sury after ali the outstanding 3 per
cents have been redeemed, We
hear various measures suggested
and many objects Of expenditure
proposed, not in answer to any great
pa bile necessity or demand, not be-
cause the pubic is suffering for the
need OF the meas ure8 proposed. but
because it is thought to be a good
way to get rid of money which is not
needed and prevent a ruiuous con
traction of the currency from its
gradual accumulation in the vaults
OF the Treasury. Under a healthy
and proper condition Of things pub
lie money Is expended to NEE pub
Tic necessities as they arise. Under
a government conducted upon cor
rect principles public money is eX-
pended only to carry out some def
mite object which will be conducive
to the welfare and prosperity ofthe
people, But under our laws and
existing conditions the expenditure
Of the money is itself the main object
and the public necessity, and our
statesmen are tasking their ingenui-
ty to find objects which may serve
The main purpose Of drawing money
from the treasury. The greater
number Of these great schemes would
meyer have been dreamed OF we've it
not for the constantly recurring
necessity OF renting in some way
the useless taxes accu mulated in the
treasury. In all reason it would
seem that the expenditure of the
peoples money should only be a
means to the accomplishment of an
end. But In all tie schemes that
are being suggested the expenditure
is considered the very end to be reach
ell and the objects of expenditure
tie means for the accomplishment
of that end, paradoxical though such
statement may seem. While other
nations are con stantly devisIng
means TO raise money TO meet the
necessities Of government, we are
constantly devising schemes to get
rid Of what we collect.
These plans for squandering mon
ey wildly and rcckIss.ly and uncon
stituhonaIly are shoyt-signted and
are acknowledgements in their
consequences. The beneficial re-
suits suugat to be accomplished in
preventing "a strlngency In the mOn~
ey market at best are only temporary
and can only postpone the day Of
disaster. The taxes will continue to
come ia and the surplus will again
accumulate after the channel Of eX-
traordInary expenditure has been
closed and there VIII result either a
disastrous contraction Of the currency
or new schemes must be devised for
squandering the public money. The
remedy for the evil will If persisted
in prove far more disastrous than
the evil which it seeks to cure, tor
il canuol result otherwise than in
making our Government the most
extravagant and corrupt upon earth.
There is one remedy, and only
one. for the cyl, and that Is embodi
ed IN the homeiy prOverb, IAN
ounce of preventive is worth a
pound ofcure," Instead Of continu-
| ally Topping the branches OF the
evil-a process which only contrI-
butes to its more luXur!ant growth
strike at the very root of 1t. In
stead of being forced year after year
to meet and overcome the danger
of an accumulated surplus of idle
money in the treasury and to devise
means to get it back into the hands
OF the people, cut down taxes to an
amount necessary to meet the eX-
/ peuses Of the Government ecOuoml-
cally administered and leave the
money in the hands Of the people.
Tire Government will be the POOR
er-In money-but tie people will
be The richer, and the dangers which
come form excessive ttXatjun and
surplus revenue VII be permanent
ly aud finally disposed of,-Ameriean.
Overlooked Banks.
A